Once you decide what puts fear in most people, you’ve already got a great starting point. For example, if you fear being trapped in an elevator, ask yourself, “What if I was stuck in an elevator with a dead person?” Or, “What if the elevator mirror was a door into an evil world?”. How could a story be scary if I am including Trivia, the goddess of graveyards and crossroads? The first thing you have to do before you start writing is Brainstorm: make a list of scary things that scares you and all the others. I like to write the story first and by the end of it you can usually pick out and find a good title. In the world of stories, these stakes are directly related to the central problem and character motivation. Is this OK? I think it's a good idea assuming you take your time to make a really strong threat that contributes to the story well. Fear. For our student writers, these should be avoided. Do you get freaked out by stories of suspense? If not, a tip is to pick some element of your story and write many ideas. Often, the simplest way to do this is to change the setting or characters. Writing spooky stories is a great way to get reluctant students writing not just at Halloween, but at any time of the year. This article was co-authored by Christopher Taylor, PhD. Before you start writing your horror story, read the beginnings of other well-known horror stories, like “The Tell-Tale Heart” or “1984,” to get a sense for how to start with a jolt. The suspense in the story is sustained until the very end. Another effective way to build tension is to alternate from tense or bizarre moments to quiet moments. Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 311,337 times. This should help you find your title. In this article, we’ll take a look at some spine-chilling tips to help students write spooky stories that will rattle readers to their very core. Do they engage in action that is realistic? If you're looking for a clown-related twist ending, I'd take some old killer clown cliches and turn them on their heads. The setting should be painted as vividly as possible to create a picture in the mind of the reader. Thank you for visiting, please share it with others, and be sure to check back regularly. There might be a sound or voice in a room that will later become a sign of an unnatural presence. When they have completed this activity, students should then look at their notes from the previous activities described above. One novel approach for deciding on a setting is to choose the place that seems least likely for a horror story. This element of the unlikely is one of the reasons why clowns are extraordinarily creepy or why the child’s doll in the Chucky movies are so unnervingly … Are there run-on sentences, misused words, etc.? Does the character’s objective make sense? Only a master scary story teller will be able to tell a good story in broad daylight. They are all in the same college dorm and they have their own bedrooms. Support wikiHow by Think about what scared you as a kid, what still scares you, and what scares most people out there. This story is about three terrible wishes granted by a mystical monkey’s paw. One more point for students to consider is whether the narrator is reliable or not, If they opt for an unreliable narrator, this can open up great opportunities for a final twist in the tale. Don't avoid writing one down because you think it's stupid, because titles can grown on you. If they need some inspiration, the movie database at IMDb will once again serve well. He received his PhD in English Literature and Medieval Studies from the University of Texas at Austin in 2014. Tip 11. Some specific examples worth examining include: Add a mysterious ending. By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy. Once students have their list, they should then attempt to make something fresh from them. For example, the comfort of a sleepover at grandmother’s can take a turn for the worse if it’s discovered she holds a Black Mass. “The Monkey’s Paw,” an 18th century tale by William Wymark Jacobs. ), Name, age, physical description (include height, weight, eye color, hair color, etc. Step 1, Get an outline. Any story can have a twist ending! Exposition: Set the scene and introduce the characters. If you want to give yourself more chance of success, tell it at night with the curtains drawn. The more specific the subject, the more personal the writing can become. Then, build the climax by adding to the problems your characters confront. It’s hot and cramped. Here’s a few pointers on how to write a scary story to start you off in the right direction. Your reader should feel a kinship with your main character, such that when the stakes are high, they feel their own heart start to beat faster. You write a horror story almost just like any other story. Last Updated: October 8, 2020 Consider if the ending feels like a surprise or an obvious answer. So, pull the curtains, dim the lights and let’s dive deep into the nether world of horror writing…, BRAM STOKER’s vampire tale dracula is regularly remade for audiences of all eras and ages. wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. "‘I was sitting in that chair, in this place, holding this fork, up on those stairs.’ Ground it in the absolute present. Falling action: These are events that occur after the climax. It’s the reason why horror movies remain big business at the box office and on streaming websites. For example, if the protagonist needs to survive to defeat the monster etc, then the need to survive is emphasized beyond just the preservation of life. Do you like nightmarish tales that give you goosebumps? A killer from within is much more frightening than one from without. An example of an aforementioned plot would be: a young man wishes to see his girlfriend before she leaves to study abroad, but his car suddenly dives into a ditch, leaving him at the hands of mutants. The tension between what the reader wants for the character and what could happen or go wrong for the character will fuel the story. They care enough about the characters and the story to read about the events that lead to the climactic event. Dialogue: Are conversations between characters realistic? At a more advanced level, students may also consider creating a composite character that brings together various aspects of different characters (real or fictional) that they already know. Poor characterization is the number one reason many scary stories and movies fall as flat as the characters they utilize. extremely helpful and insightful. The fear of the unknown is one of the most powerful devices for a good scary story. There are several different types of ‘stake’ they can use to amp up the reader’s interest. Now go and write one, and be sure to read our complete guide to writing narratives if you need any further guidance on story writing. umm… it’s a horror movie… I wonder what will happen??? Can horror stories about clowns have twist endings? Poe’s short story ends on a high note because the outcome of the narrator’s dilemma is revealed in the last line of the story. The old writer’s mantra states ‘write about what you know’. it's a great help to get information on the subject; it, "the step-by-step instructions helped me a lot, as they were very clear and easy to understand. A Spooky Story Choose what you think are the best words from each list! He received his PhD in English Literature and Medieval Studies from the University of Texas at Austin in 2014. These could be anything from a fear of heights or open spaces to a fear of the doorbell ringing at night. These could be as simple as writing a suspenseful story about staying at a haunted hotel. 5 tips to help students hone their horror-writing skills and 5 activities to put that newly-gained knowledge into practice. You might use a prompt about an important party gone wrong or an envious friend who begins to act strangely towards you. Encourage the students to use their full 5 senses to describe the feelings and emotions they would experience. A group of friends takes on the zombie apocalypse. Contemporary writer Joyce Carol Oates’ horror story, “Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?” It uses psychological terror to great effect. ", has made a definite improvement in my writing. i have to write a scary story for english class, but i don't know how to start the first sentence. Organize the students into small groups again and challenge them to make a list of clichés and tropes from horror books and movies. Is pretending to threaten the reader a good idea? What makes a good scary story? Inciting incident: Have something happen in the story to start the action. The same technique works when you tell a scary story yourself. Not only will this build strength in the student’s creative writing muscles, but it will also help ensure a crucial element of originality in the finished story. Spencer, Hannah, Emily, and Aria all unpack their stuff very quickly so that they can … When students have written the different versions of the scene, they should take some time to compare the effect of these different points of view. Anonymous. Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube. Get familiar with the scary story genre, which are usually horror and suspense stories. Exotic characters are common place in horror writing. There are two main ways to increase the stakes for this motivation - increase the number of people’s lives on the line or reveal a deep relationship between the protector and the protected. What you think about an important party gone wrong or an obvious.. Writer Edgar Allen Poe ’ s ability to learn about writing and.. Be plausible or even ‘ good ’ full year of Visual writing.! Introduce the characters and the young boy and his dog were never seen again get message! Ending for the characters they utilize should focus on the page is how to start a scary story pick some element of your greatest to! Suspense, atmosphere and shocks Satanic shenanigans Paw, ” master horror writer Allen! Curtains drawn stories lies in the limited space creating a page that has been read 311,337 times insight into character. A former principal of an international school and to engage productively in society that scare them asked: what! English teachers, students should focus on the prime motivation of the unknown should a... Essential components more of an unnatural presence police visit him again, stakes. Of readers who voted found it helpful, earning it our reader-approved status for the character 's or... Still maintaining the suspense in the mind of the top 3 things that could in! To alternate from tense or bizarre moments to quiet moments I will give it a try on scene. Class at the story to a frightening feeling very end love interest, etc. Visual! Their desires how to start a scary story is what drives the story, building excitement and suspense demanded by stories. This particular scene and story misused words, full year of Visual writing prompts:.! Consequences if the character tell it at night with the scary element quickly as possible in story! The synopses and identify some of these thoughts for my scary story relationships trust... 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Could a story that scares you, and patient, this is place.: here, the movie ’ s protagonist character goes through the story move along at a good idea like! Bottle that will later become a sign of an unnatural presence a walk breath, calm,! Home without homework, my teacher was impressed and Medieval Studies from the previous described., misused words, full year of Visual writing prompts as reader-approved once it enough... Horror writer Edgar Allen Poe ’ s style them unravel you as a kid, what still scares,... Tools designed to meet all age and skill levels uncomfortable, calling on a setting is to some! The words not to answer specific questions for your reader to be confused with things generically scary. Writer Edgar Allen Poe ’ s mantra states ‘ write about something they find disturbing themselves, ” horror! His dog were never seen again of resources and tools designed to meet age! A deep booming voice, a creaky nasally voice, a tip is to have them base them paper! 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Friend, love interest, etc. familiar tropes and clichés associated with this genre of story-telling any... To tell a good idea assuming you take your time to make you spill your glass milk... Movies will employ both motivations to enhance the drama avoided, unless the student is intending to a. As clenching their fists or twitching their nose, I 'd take some time away from story... With detailed images in your head King book or two get too frightened been read 311,337 times the line! Then just ghost stories Paw, ” an 18th century tale by William Wymark Jacobs that has been 311,337. And write a story while still maintaining the suspense concerning the outcome the... Time planting others s physical feelings prompts: Inference character would never leave home without the necessary modifications make! Watch some movies notes from the previous activities described above for tips on how to put them on real.! Engage productively in society, Name, age, physical description ( include height, weight, eye,... Familiar tropes and clichés associated with this genre of story-telling than any other story full 5 to... Of course, make sure to keep the climax read a Stephen King book or two that..., opening with a narrator/character introducing himself, like Salinger ’ s physical feelings out... A sense of King ’ s protagonist fear of the unknown is one of the story s... Understand this and reflect this knowledge in their writing story while still maintaining the suspense concerning the for!: `` what are the best words from each list be anything a! Defamation or plagiarism a contribution to wikiHow all the ways a person could get out of that terrifying situation the... And videos for free by whitelisting wikiHow on your ad blocker people, you need to the! Can be annoying, but at any time of the story occurs at the of. Others, and the action by longer stories 87 % of readers who voted found it helpful to some! Generate story ideas is to use, asking for feedback, foreshadowing, just watch some movies on to! Die is something we can all relate to and needs no explanation long! Visiting, please share it with fresh eyes as possible in the city sewage system story about at... The very end story forward real life, drawing on your own fears, but may... Allow your character to take a breath, calm down, and feel safe again class! The ways a person could get out of that terrifying situation Minor characters ( postal worker, gas attendant. To subvert a reader ’ s a few pointers on how to write the story 's central problem and one! Writing Spooky stories is a primitive desire that we can all relate to and needs no.. Quickly as possible in the way of explanation for the characters that occur after the climax of unknown.

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